VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 168

ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENTS
Victoria has a vibrant performing arts community, with unique events designed especially
for the summer crowds. The city lacks the wild nightlife scene of neighboring Vancouver,
but a large influx of summer workers keeps the bars crowded and a few nightclubs jumping
during the busy season. The city does have more than its fair share of British-style pubs,
and you can usually get a good meal along with a pint of lager. The magazine Monday
( www.mondaymag.com ) offers a comprehensive arts and entertainment section.
PERFORMING ARTS
Dating to 1914 and originally called the Pantages Theatre, the grand old McPherson Play-
house (known lovingly as the “Mac” by local theatergoers) went through hard times during
the 1990s but has seen a recent revival of fortunes and now hosts a variety of performing
arts. It's in Centennial Square, at the corner of Pandora Avenue and Government Street. The
Mac's sister theater, the Royal Theatre (805 Broughton St.), across downtown, began life
as a roadhouse and was used as a movie theater for many years. Today it hosts stage produc-
tions and musical recitals. For schedule information and tickets at both theaters, contact the
Royal & McPherson Theatres Society (250/386-6121 or 888/717-6121, www.rmts.bc.ca ) .
Pacific Opera Victoria (250/385-0222, www.pov.bc.ca ) performs three productions
each year (usually Oct.-Apr.) in the McPherson Playhouse. Tickets run $25-75. The Vict-
oria Operatic Society (250/381-1021, www.vos.bc.ca ) presents opera year-round at the
McPherson Playhouse.
Nightlife
The Strathcona Hotel (919 Douglas St., 250/383-7137) is Victoria's largest entertainment
venue, featuring four bars, including one with a magnificent rooftop patio (with a volleyball
court) and the Sticky Wicket, an English bar complete with mahogany paneling.
Closer to the Inner Harbour and converted from an old grain warehouse is Swans
Brewpub (Swans Hotel, 506 Pandora St., 250/361-3310, from 11am daily), which brews its
own beer. Unlike many other smaller brewing operations, this one uses traditional ingredi-
ents and methods, such as allowing the brew to settle naturally rather than be filtered.
A few blocks farther north and right on the water is the Harbour Canoe Club (450
Swift St., 250/361-1940), housed in an 1894 red-brick building that was at one time home
to generators that powered Victoria's street lights. This place is popular with the downtown
crowd and has a great deck.